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Somers Girls Lacrosse Team Accuses Yorktown Boys Team Of Harassment

Click here for an updated report: Somers Superintendent Clarifies Statements About Alleged Yorktown Incident

Yorktown High School's athletic complex, which hosted the May 25 Section 1 girls lacrosse championships.

Yorktown High School's athletic complex, which hosted the May 25 Section 1 girls lacrosse championships.

Photo Credit: File photo

Original story:

The Somers Central School District is investigating following an alleged incident between certain members of the Somers varsity girls lacrosse team and the Yorktown varsity boys lacrosse team on May 25 at Yorktown High School.

Following a practice prior to the Section 1 Class B girls lacrosse championship games between Yorktown and Somers at Charlie Murphy Field at YHS, the Somers girls team was sent to use the Yorktown boys locker room when members of the Yorktown boys lacrosse team entered the locker room and engaged in harassing and intimidating behavior directed towards the girls, according to Somers Superintendent Raymond Blanch.

Due to the boys’ behavior, the girls were forced to leave and relocate to another locker room, Blanch said. The alleged incident was investigated internally and follow-up conversations were had with Yorktown school officials to make them aware of the outcome of the investigation, Blanch said. The same information was also shared with the Section 1 Office of Interscholastic Athletics, Blanch said.

"I find this incident to be both concerning and upsetting," Blanch said. "Unfortunately, what should have been a day showcasing the competitive spirit, athletic abilities, and sportsmanship of both teams was marred by the rude and disrespectful behavior of certain students."

Blanch said the Somers school district is continuing to work with its counterparts at Yorktown in investigating the alleged incident and that Yorktown is nearly complete with its fact-finding.

"The Somers Central School District has had a long history of positive experiences with the Yorktown Central School District," Blanch said. "We look forward to resolving this matter and supporting the interests of students in both schools."

Yorktown Superintendent Dr. Ralph Napolitano said he did not hear anything for six days about the incident he until he received an anonymous letter on June 1.

Napolitano said Somers administrators issued their statements before Yorktown could fully investigate the matter.

"Once our investigation is completed, we have requested a meeting with our captains, administrators, and coaches to further discuss how to address this matter which we all take very seriously," Napolitano said. "We look forward to continuing a positive relationship with our Somers neighbors."

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